Emma went to her lung doctor today. Doing good. Made a few changes to her vent because she has grown a little bit. We dont have to go back for 6 more months. While we were there Emma got to see all the beautiful Christmas tree's. She is so excited about the holiday season, as are brother and sister. I can't believe its only 14 days until Christmas! We had warm weather last week, we had on shorts! But today was cold, didn't even get out of the 30's for highs. We put up our tree last night and Emma's purple tree we have had up since the day after thanksgiving. Its an angel tree, it has ornaments with all her angel friends and family names on it. Its beautiful. I'll get some pictures soon. Meanwhile, here is the pretty tree Emma fell in love with today.

Also quick prayer request. We are asking everyone to pray for our friend Tricia. She was on the list to get another pair of donated lungs do to her becoming ill and rejecting the ones she got a few years ago, she got sick and they had to take her off the list. Thur she goes back to the dr and they are praying they put her back on the list to get new lungs. Please join us in prayer that they place her on the list and that her wait isn't too long. You can learn more about her at : www.cfhusband.blogspot.com

Build a bear

The kids build a bears. I forgot to share the other day. Emma's is named Olivia Inez, its the black one with stars on it. She named her after her friend Livi that died in Aug from cancer. Ella's is the rainbow OU cheerleader one named Amy Junior for some reason. Derek's is camo bear with OU tshirt his name is Gregory. We had fun at the mall but my foot got sore. The day before I was in the ER and diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Walking was not on my to do list, but we had to spend the day having fun. Cousin Elizabeth got Emma a bunch of new pretty earrings and Ella some legos. We ate Chick Fil A for lunch, and a big cookie from Mrs Fields for desert.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA AND ELLA

Happy Birthday Emma and Ella! 8 years old. You sure have grown fast.

Today they were on the Freedom 43 local news. I made a really bad copy using webcam pointing at the tv, they shared the above picture, the audio is the important part anyway. Thought I would share. http://youtu.be/MFH8WVo6U-s that is the link to see it on youtube.  *edit I just realized the new background has links in a really light color, just hover over the blank spot before "that is the link to see..." and it will kind of show up for you to click. Sorry need to do some editing in the template/code.

10-8-12

Can you believe Emma and Ella will be 8 on the 16th? It just seems like yesterday they were tiny little furry monkey looking babies in the NICU.

Have a big week planned. Its fall break Wed-Fri. On Thur we are going to Build a Bear in Oklahoma City. We are taking Emma and Ella's cousin Elizabeth with us, she is 17 and is excited to make a bear too, I can't make fun of her though, I am 36 and can't wait! I am lucky I was able to do some surveys and things online and get $125 in gift cards FREE! Oh I love free stuff. Might also eat at the cheesecake factory so we can get some birthday cheesecake.

Then Friday if the rain holds out for an hour or so we are going to get flu shots. Emma always does great with flu shots. Actually all the kiddos do. Derek just got his tetanus booster and was so brave.

Halloween is coming soon, not sure what Emma is going to be, probably a princess. Its so hard to get her something, she can't do hats very well in her wheelchair or anything with wings on the costume. Ella wants to be a vampire, no idea what Derek wants to be. Something scary I am sure.

Today Derek and Ella had to wear coats to school, it was only 35 this morning. Derek needed a new coat and I didn't know it, so he had to borrow mine, but that is ok, its a man's coat anyway. Think we need to shop soon. Emma is all cozy and still asleep this morning, wrapped up in her dreamsicle blanket. Oh not sure I posted what that looks like she got it from a group called lovequilts. I am sharing a pic so you can see how beautiful it is. It reminds me of Shevaun, my dear friend who died of cancer when Emma and Ella were a few months old, she used to collect those angels. Ella is named after Shevaun so she is always trying to steal Emma's blankie LOL.

Well that is the update for today, I'll need to go wake sleepy head girl up in a bit and tame her bedhead. Have a great day our wonderful friends!

Update on Emma's friend

Just wanted to update everyone to let you know that Emma's friend Olivia the one fighting  hepatoblastoma  went to be with Jesus this morning. Emma cried real tears when I told her, something she rarely does until she is in physical pain. We love Livi so much and we just ask that you uplift her parents in prayer and her big brother. We find it such comfort that Livi is now CANCER FREE and without pain in Heaven, and that she left this world in the loving arms of her mom with her dad and brother by her side. 

Emma is doing ok, sad but ok. Tomorrow Derek and Ella start school and I will be taking full advantage of my alone time with Emma to give her extra hugs tomorrow. 

We just want to ask everyone to pray for Emma's friend Olivia. Olivia has stage 3 hepatoblastoma. She has had a rough last few weeks, and her parents were asked to get hospice involved in her care. She currently has an infection she is fighting and needs immediate prayers for that. But also needs prayers for her over all health, her medical test numbers are not where they should be and her liver is very large and becoming painful for her. She is a miracle, we love her so very much and she is such a fighter. We hate to even begin to think this could be the beginning of the end for Olivia, so we won't! We also ask for prayers for her mom, dad and brother as you can only imagine the toll it is taking on them. Thanks so much to our faithful readers and prayer friends. Attached is a photo of Emma wearing her button's she got for Livi.

I had Emma some pads made to go under her trachs, they prevent rubbing, dirty neck and help with small leaks. Yes you can use gauze but they aren't near as cute! I'll be buying mickey button pads soon, maybe in matching patterns but maybe something knew. They are washable and made with bamboo cotton, which I love. We got them from http://www.patchworkpeddler.com/

August 14th 2012

Summer's almost over school starts in 9 days. Emma will be home schooled again but Derek will go to 5th grade and Ella 2nd in public school. Emma had a pretty good summer, although as of late its been spent inside just way too hot and dry out for her! We went to Greensburg KS to see family in July it was a nice trip. I thought I had posted pictures but apparently I did not, so I have included a bunch in this post. We went to the Big Well (worlds largest hand dug well) Museum and Emma got to see a huge space rock! A 1,000 pound Pallasite Meteorite one of the pics includes her by that. Also included are pics from around town, and of the memorial to those who died in the Greeensburg tornado, which I wrote about in this very blog. May 2007 an EF5 wiped the town pretty much off the map. Most importantly regarding the trip, she got to spend time with her Great Grandpa Donald Richards, who is a great man, and she got to see her Grandpa and Granpa Richards too and meet her twin cousin's for the first time. It was a fun trip, but so glad we don't vacation often it took a lot of packing and doing to go!

July 31, 2012

I went to Emma's nurse DeLene's memorial service almost a week ago. It was beautiful and I expected to gain some closure from going, but I really didn't. She left so suddenly without a goodbye, I just can't get over that yet. They say it was complications due to her being diabetic. Emma and I miss her, and I hope to do a ballon release for Emma, Ella and Derek soon so they have a chance to say goodbye. Its just too hot right now! 108 as I type this. I hope cooler weather comes soon. Here is DeLene's obit

Friend has gone to Heaven..

Just got word that Emma's favorite nurse (and mine) DeLene has died. There are no words I could write to say how sad we are and how much of an awesome lady she was. Please pray for her family.

Emma and I are using this blog to urgently request prayers for our friend Tricia. She is facing rejection of her donated lungs. You can read more about her here at their blog (read the story at the top for background) http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/  The words I need , to express the urgency of prayer we are asking for, they escape me at the moment, so I just ask please read their blog, prayer hard and ask God to heal her!

I haven't been updating as much as I should. Especially since Emma was in the hospital in April for treatment of what we thought were seizures but turned out they were spasms. It was just easier to update at facebook and make calls. I get burned out sometimes on updates I think. She was put on a new medication, which seems to have helped some. Other than that minor hiccup she is doing great. Enjoying the summer.

Hoping to take a trip to KS to visit family this summer. It will be Emma's first vacation. Ella's too I guess since they are twins ha ha. July 4th is the plan if all goes ok. Having family drive to get us since we still do not own a car, hoping to one day get a wheelchair van so we dont have to get Emma in and out of her wheelchair and pull her vent and other machines off of it. Riding the bus in town is easy since she can stay in her chair like that. Just had to get her a new car seat for the trip. its pink and its sweet. She is still so tiny. 7 years old and 28 lbs and only 36 inches tall. Her not standing and walking just keeps her little I guess. Still wearing a size 6 infant shoe and its big on her! My little bitty bumblebee.

So I will try as always to update as much as I can, I know I always promise that. But this time, I mean it. I promise *crosses fingers behind her back* LOL

Oh I attached a picture of my tattoo I got with tax return money, its a cerebral palsy awareness tattoo for Miss Emma, and my cousin's son Jarret who also has CP as well as many of our other brave little friends. Love to them all.

More family pics to share, except Darren and Derek since they tend to run when the camera comes out. All taken last night at Ella's daisy scout investiture. Cousin Elizabeth is also in the pics.

7 years ago today....

Seven years have passed since Emma first coded on us and died. God brought her back to us, and not a day goes by that I don't thank him for that. That night I witnessed a miracle, and I haven't stopped witnessing it since. Every day she is with us is a miracle, every day I can cuddle with her is a blessing.

That night 7 years ago I prayed for his help, for him to protect Emma. I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)  THANK YOU GOD! 

Despite the sick feeling I get remembering how hard that night was, today is a day of Rejoicing! A day to rejoice what the Lord has blessed each of us with... life! 


P.S. The above pic was taken of Emma and me last night at Ella's girl scout ceremony. 

I have just realized that I set an email with this blog and listed it on the bottom for contacts, I totally forgot I had it, so if you emailed me and I didn't get back to you promptly I am sorry. I am trying to answer things now and will make sure to continue to check our mail on a daily basis. You can write us at emmaandmommmy@yahoo.com. We love questions and comments, and don't forget you can comment here as well. I plan on updating the blog a lot more, its just been a dry spell where thankfully everything has been doing wonderfully at our house. No updates usually means no exciting medical news which is ALWAYS a good thing.

Something I found online and wanted to share....

The Brave Little Soul

By: John Alessi

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?" 

God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts." The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," he asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone." 

The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle for the good of all humanity."

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!" 

God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you". God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.

In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed." Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love.

 Priorities became properly aligned. 

People gave from their hearts. 

Those that were always too busy found time. 

Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith - many came back to God. 

Parents hugged their children tighter. 

Friends and family grew closer.

 Old friends got together and new friendships were made. 

Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. 

Everyone prayed. 

Peace and love reigned. 

Lives changed forever.

 It was good. 

The world was a better place. 

The miracle had happened. 

God was pleased.